Extension cord and harness assembly



June 26, 1967 R. BROWN ETAL 3,327,049

EXTENSION CORD AND HARNESS ASSEMBLY Filed April 13, 1964 IN V EN TORS THEIR ATTORNEY United States Patent EXTENSION CORD AND HARNESS ASSEMBLY Raymond L. Brown, Banksville, N.Y., and David F.

Downey, Stamford, Conn., assignors to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 358,997 Claims. (Cl. 174-70) This invention pertains, in general, to the support of electric extension cords; and, in particular, to an electric extension cord assembly having a plurality of straps thereon for harnessing the cord lengthwise along the outside of a flexible suction hose employed in connection with a tank type vacuum cleaner.

Such a hose and cord arrangement is particularly useful in simultaneously vacuuming and brushing carpets or rugs, especially those made from synthetic materials. In such an arrangement the hose applies suction, created in the tank unit, to a carpet cleaning nozzle while the electric cord conducts electricity from the tank unit to a motor, which together with a carpet agitating brush rotated by the motor, is located in the cleaning nozzle. The combined suction and brushing actions do a more thorough cleaning job. Moreover, the rotating brush fluffs the nap giving the carpet surface a neat appearance.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an electric extension cord assembly which can be harnessed to a flexible vacuum cleaner suction hose.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension cord assembly which is easy to harness to the suction hose as well as easy to unharness therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension cord and harness assembly which when harnessed to the suction hose is relatively unbulky permitting easy manipulation of the assembled cord and hose during the surface cleaning operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive cord and harness assembly which can easily be fabricated from a minimum number of simple parts.

Briefly, in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention there is provided an electric extension cord which carries a plurality of substantially alike straps thereon. The straps are evenly spaced apart along the length of the cord with each strap extending crosswise of the cords length. Each strap has a button formed at one end thereof and a buttonhole formed in the opposite end thereof for buttoning the strap. The cord is supported along the length of the hose when each of the straps is wrapped around the periphery of the hose and secured by buttonin g them.

One feature of the present invention is that each of the straps which form the harness portion of the assembly has a button formed integrally in one end thereof and a buttonhole formed in the other end thereof so that the strap can be wrapped around the suction hose and buttoned to support the cord therefrom. Advantageously, separate detachable fasteners which could easily be lost are not employed.

Another feature of the present invention is that the electric cord passes through an aperture in each of the straps and is bonded to the straps to form an integral or monolithic cord and strap assembly.

Another feature of the invention is that there is provided at at least one end of the extension cord, an electrical connector which has a body portion with a contoured surface portion which conforms to the outer surface of the suction hose and a strap integral with the connector body which can be wrapped around the hose and buttoned to secure the connector thereto.

Further objects, features and advantages of the inven tion will be apparent from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a vacuum cleaning apparatus incorporating the extension cord and harness assembly provided by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject extension cord and harness assembly;

FIG. 3 shows the subject cord and harness strapped to a vacuum cleaner suction hose;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a strap;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a molded receptacle and strap assembly adapted for being strapped to the suction hose; and,

FIG; 6 is another view, on somewhat reduced scale, of the receptacle and strap assembly of FIG. 5.

The cord and harness assembly provided by the present invention is illustrated at FIG. 2 and it includes an electrical extension cord 10 having a connector 12 in the form of a male plug at one end and another connector 14 in the form of a receptacle at the other end. A plurality of substantially identical straps 16 are attached to the cord 10 and these straps are evenly spaced apart along the length of the cord 10.

As shown at FIG. 4, each strap 16 is formed with a slightly deformable button 18 which extends outwardly at one uniformly thickened end section 16a thereof and a buttonhole or slot 20 in a correspondingly thickened opposite end section 16b thereof. Between the button and the buttonhole and at the same side of the strap as the button 18 there is integrally formed at the inner terminus of one of the thickened ends an enlarged lug-like section 21 having an aperture 22 through which the cord 10 passes. The strap 16 may be molded from a soft vinyl plastic material which has a certain degree of elasticity. For example, one successfully used material is molded vinyl plastic having a durometer measured hardness of from 65 to 70, measured on the Shore scale A. However, many other synthetic or natural materials, such as molded polyethylene or rubber may be used if desired. Also, the insulating jacket of the electric cord 10 may be made of the same material from which the straps 16 are made; e.g., from a vinyl plastic material. In assembling the cord and harness of FIG. 2, the cord 10, which has at least one of the end connectors, either 12 or 14, not connected thereto, is passed through the strap apertures 22 and the straps 16 may be evenly spaced apart along the cord length. Although it is not indispensible, it is preferred that a bond be effected between the cords jacket and the straps. Where the cords jacket and the straps are of a vinyl plastic material, a solvent type bond therebetween may be achieved by using tetrahydrofuran. When the tetrahydrofuran is used there results an intimate bonding or a monolithic connection between the cord jacket and the inner wall portion of the enlarged section 21 surrounding the aperture 22.

As indicated at FIG. 4 the end sections 16a and 16b have a thicker cross-section than the intermediate section 16c of the strap. Thus, the end sections 16a and 16b are subjected to lower tensile stresses than section when the thickened ends of each strap 16 are overlappingly buttoned together so that the straps are tensioned and tightly encircle the suction hose 26 as shown at FIGS. 1 and 3.

The subject cord and harness arrangement is, as shown in FIG. 1, ideally suited for conducting electricity from a suitable receptacle 23 on a vacuum cleaner tank unit 24 along the outside of a suction hose 26 to another extension cord 28 incorporated in a rigid hollow wand 30 so that a brush rotating motor 32 located in a surface clean ing nozzle 34 can be electrically energized. Advantageously, suction created in the tank unit 24 is applied to the surface cleaning nozzle 34 through the serially coupled hose 26, its rigid hollow handle 27 and the hollow wand 30 while, at the same time, the motor 32, being electrically energized through the connected cords 10 and 28, drives a rotary brush 36. Rotation of the brush 36 dislodges dust and dirt from the surface being cleaned, such as a rug or carpet, and the dislodged matter is then drawn away through the wand and suction hose and deposited in a suitable dust bag located in the tank unit 24.

As shown in FIG. 1 the connector 14, a receptacle, receives a male plug (not shown) at the end of the cord 28 so that electricity can be conducted from the cord 10 to the cord 28 and thence to the motor 32. However, should the user wish to perform a cleaning operation not requiring a motorized cleaning nozzle 34 and use a nonelectrical cleaning nozzle instead, the plug at the end of the cord 28 can be detached and the wand and nozzle assembly 30 and 34, including the cord 28, can be removed and the other non-electrical cleaning nozzle assembly can be coupled to the hose handle 27.

Another feature of the subject cord and harness assem bly relates to the construction of the connector 14. As shown at FIGS. 3, and 6, the connector 14 is comprised of a body 38 in which there are embedded tubular terminal elements 40 and 42, the ends of which are exposed in a well 44 formed in the body 38. Formed integrally with the body 38 is the hinged flap 46 which is shown in FIG. 5 in a closed position. However, it may be hinged upwardly as shown in FIG. 6 to uncover the well 44 and enable access to the terminals 40 and 42. As indicated, the inner face of the flap 46 includes a ledge portion 48 integrally formed in the flap. This ledge portion is wedged into the well 44 when the flap 46 closes the entrance to the well 44 as indicated in FIG. 5. The upper surface 50 of the body 38 has a curved contour which when the connector 14 is fastened to the hose will conform to the outer periphery of the hose. Integral with the insulating body 38 is a strap 52 which has a button 54 at one end thereof and a buttonhole or slot 56 at the opposite end. As indicated, the end of the strap 52 having the slot therein may be made a little thicker than the rest of the strap to provide additional reinforcement for the strap end. When the strap 52 is wrapped around the hose 26 and buttoned, as shown at FIG. 3, the end of the cord including the connector 14 is securely supported on the hose.

The body 38, including the flap .46 and the strap 52 may be formed of the same material as the straps 16 and the cords jacket; e.g., a molded vinyl plastic which has suitable electrical insulating properties and a certain degree of elasticity.

While there is shown and described one embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that this has been done for purposes of illustration only and the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby, but is to be determined from the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a plurality of fiexibleand slightly elastic straps having thickened end portions,

each strap having means for releasably securing the ends thereof together including a button at one end thereof and integral therewith and extending outwardly therefrom at one side thereof,

an elongated buttonhole at the opposite end of said strap and an enlarged lug-like portion at said one side between the said thickened end portions of the strap,

said enlarged lug-like portion having an aperture of unbroken periphery extending therethrough in a direction crosswise of the straps length,

and an electric cord snugly extending. through the apertures in said straps whereby said straps are arranged crosswise to said cord,

said straps each being adapted to encircle an elongated body and to be secured thereabout by insertion of the button through the buttonhole whereby said cord is adapted to be supportingly mounted on said elongated body.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein those sections of cord passing through the apertures in the straps enlarged portions are bonded to the enlarged portions.

3-. The combination set forth in claim 1 further comprising a connector connected to one end of the cord and containing electrical terminal members, said connector having a strap member connected thereto which is adapted for completely encircling said body and being secured thereabout in order to support said connector from said body.

4. A relatively thin strap member formed of elastic material for supporting a length of electric extension cord along the outside of a vacuum cleaner hose and having a uniformly thickened section of limited length at each end thereof,

a slightly deformable button having a neck portion of reduced thickness integral with one of said thickened end sections of said strap member and extending outwardly from one side thereof,

an elongated aperture comprising a button hole com- ,plementary in width to the neck portion of said button and formed in the other of said thickened end sections of the strap member,

said strap member having a lug-like enlarged portion integral therewith intermediate said thickened end sections and extending outwardly therefrom in the same direction as said button,

said enlarged lug-like portion being of a size to provide an aperture extending therethrough in a direction crosswise of the length of said strap member and adapted to receive and retain an electric cord therein,

said strap member being adapted to snugly encircle and be secured about a supporting body thereof by insertion of said slightly deformable button on said one thickened end section of the strap member through the elongated button hole in the thickened section of the opposite end of the strap member whereby said strap is securely removably supported on said body.

5. An electric cord having in combination therewith a plurality of substantially identical slightly elastic and flexible strap members spaced along the cord for the sup port thereof,

each strap member having a uniformly thickened section of limited length at each end thereof,

a slightly deformable button having a neck portion of reduced thickness integral with one of said thickened end sections of said strap member and extending outwardly from one side thereof,

an elongated and transversely elastic aperture means comprising a button hole complementary in width to the neck portion of said button and formed in .the other of said thickened end sections of the strap member,

said strap member having a lug-like enlarged portion integral therewith intermediate said thickened end sections and extending outwardly from the strap member in the same direction as said button,

said enlarged lug-like portion being of a size to provide an aperture extending therethrough in a direction crosswise of the length of said strap member,

said electric cord having a cross-section of a size to pass through and be snugly held in said apertures in said enlarged lug-like portions of said strap members for support thereby,

6 each of said strap members being adapted to snugly FOREIGN PATENTS encircle and be secured about an elongated body in 1 207,065 8/1959 France spaced longitudinal relation thereon by insertion of 51 4 211 2/1955 Italy said slightly deformable button on said one thick- 560:916 4/1957 Ham ened end section of the strap member through the 5 259,578 6/1949 Switzerlani elongated and transversely elastic button hole 1n the thickened section of the opposite end of the strap OTHER REFERENCES member whereby Said Cord is femovably Securely Us. Air Force Handbook, Operation and Maintenance Supported on Said elongated y y Said Strap Instructions, Pressure Breathing Oxygen MaskType members. MS22001; T.O. 15X5-4-2-31; 1767 Moama Reprint,

References Cited 10 July 3, 1958 (pp. 3 and 6, FIGS. 3-1 and 4-2). UNITED STATES PATENTS LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner. 1,912,386 9/1933 Replogle 15-377 2,769,997 11/1956 Sheahan 15-377 X JOHN BURNS Examiner- 2,396,889 7/1959 Hefshbergef 6t 15 I. F. RUGGIERO, Assistant Examiner. 

4. A RELATIVELY THIN STRAP MEMBER FORMED OF ELASTIC MATERIAL FOR SUPPORTING A LENGTH OF ELECTRIC EXTENSION CORD ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF A VACUUM CLEANER HOSE AND HAVING A UNIFORMLY THICKENED SECTION OF LIMITED LENGTH AT EACH END THEREOF, A SLIGHTLY DEFORMABLE BUTTON HAVING A NECK PORTION OF REDUCED THICKNESS INTEGRAL WITH ONE OF SAID THICKENED END SECTIONS OF SAID STRAP MEMBER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM ONE SIDE THEREOF, AN ELONGATED APERTURE COMPRISING A BUTTON HOLE COMPLEMENTARY IN WIDTH TO THE NECK PORTION OF SAID BUTTON AND FORMED IN THE OTHER OF SAID THICKENED END SECTIONS OF THE STRAP MEMBER, SAID STRAP MEMBER HAVING A LUG-LIKE ENLARGED PORTION INTEGRAL THEREWITH INTERMEDIATE SAID THICKENED END SECTIONS AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS SAID BUTTON, SAID ENLARGED LUG-LIKE PORTION BEING OF A SIZE TO PROVIDE AN APERTURE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH IN A DIRECTION CROSSWISE OF THE LENGTH OF SAID STRAP MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND RETAIN AN ELECTRIC CORD THEREIN, SAID STRAP MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO SNUGLY ENCIRCLE AND BE SECURED ABOUT A SUPPORTING BODY THEREOF BY INSERTION OF SAID SLIGHTLY DEFORMABLE BUTTON ON SAID ONE THICKENED END SECTION OF THE STRAP MEMBER THROUGH THE ELONGATED BUTTON HOLE IN THE THICKENED SECTION OF THE OPPOSITE END OF THE STRAP MEMBER WHEREBY SAID STRAP IS SECURELY REMOVABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID BODY. 